Sleeping Pad?

Chris Pierce

Chris Pierce

Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
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So I'm looking to buy myself a light weight and (hopefully) small sleeping pad. I also want it to be cheap. (Think I could make my own?) My budget tops out at about $40 shipped. Right now I'm looking at two different options, The Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest and the Pacific Outdoor Equipment SL Lite Sleeping pad.
Ya'll have any experience with these pads? I've never heard of Pacific Outdoor Equipment. But I know some rock climbers that swear by therm-a-rest. Anyway, let me know what's up.
Thanks
-Chris
 
Hey buddy, I've used a Therma-a-rest Ridge rest for years and years and love it. I've had the dogs claw at it and it's still looks great n works great !
I'm not gonna tell ya it's as good as an inflatable Therm-a-rest but what do ya expect !
For the money and weight they can't be beat !!!!
 
I'm with Pitdog on this, the Thermarest foam pads are great!! They are in your price range and can normally be found locally.

Heber
 
i have an inflatable therm-a-rest that i've had for yonks.

i have no objection to the marginal extra weight for the amount of comfort it provides.
 
whatever you get make sure its an inflatable
the foam pads are either insulate well and are extremely bulky or dont insulate worth **** and are compact.
but the inflatables work amazingly when inflated and compact down to nothing when backpacking.
 
whatever you get make sure its an inflatable
the foam pads are either insulate well and are extremely bulky or dont insulate worth **** and are compact.
but the inflatables work amazingly when inflated and compact down to nothing when backpacking.
 
I have a non inflatable pad cost like 25$ or so. I know its a bit bulky but for the type of camping I was using it for it didnt matter. Worked well in winter and summer.
 
people have mentioned here before about making their own, they can work but usually don't last long.

the 2 you've mentioned are good, especially the Therm-a-Rest, very popular and liked.
Good Luck ;)
 
wildmanh said:
I'm with Pitdog on this, the Thermarest foam pads are great!! They are in your price range and can normally be found locally.

Heber
Click to expand...

This also what the wife and I use as well, can't beat it. the best around.
 
Here is a link for you. A thermarest from campmor.com for $30. You can't beat it for the price. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___60358 I have used one of these and a friend has one and they are great for the money. If the link doesn't work go to campmor's website and check their hot deals. It will be under sleeping gear in the hot deals section. Campmor's service is top notch too.
 
theamazingdrew said:
whatever you get make sure its an inflatable
the foam pads are either insulate well and are extremely bulky or dont insulate worth **** and are compact.
but the inflatables work amazingly when inflated and compact down to nothing when backpacking.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbup: Still, for the stated budget of $40 shipped, ac1d0v3r1d3 will have trouble finding a ThermaRest or other quality inflatable. I've got 4 ThermaRests of various vintages in my garage, and none will hold air through the night. I've checked for leaks in the bathtub and can't find them.

My wife's latest ThermaRest (the basic Trail model) still holds air, but it probably only has 50 nights on it so far.

For $40, I'd get a RidgeRest. I use a cut-down USGI pad or a Gossamer Gear TorsoLight now, sometimes a Z-Rest but they flatten out too fast for the $$$. In the winter I double up with a basic grey or deluxe RidgeRest.
 
I was eyeing the thermarest pads at REI. The inflatables are nice but $$$.
 
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I have both valve and seam failures on Thermarest inflatables, although their Z-Rest ultralight foam pad has not yet failed me. Of course, it's not what you'd call real comfy....

DancesWithKnives
 
They're all a compromise and it depends on your age, what you're willing to sacrifice, and what sort of ground you'll be on. I used to use solid foam pads but moved to inflatables. However, inflatables are more fragile than the manufactures would like you to believe.

I solved my problem by buying a camping van. :D
 
REI might be more expensive but then you have their warranty. If anything goes wrong, bring it back in there and get a new one.

I see that the OP is in WA. Check the thrift stores. Here in AZ the thrifts have lots of camping gear. I recently picked up two Therma-rests at Goodwill for $5.00 for the pair.

I think early on I paid full price for one but since then I've picked them up at thrifts.

Same for the Ridgerests.

Chad
 
I'm sorry I don't know any name brands but I've had good luck with the inflatable sleeping pads. They pack really tight and are more comfortable than foam. I think I've seen them for around $60, maybe $50. I'd check and see if campmor.com has any.
 
Campmor has the military thermarest for $30. Sportsmansguide has them as well. I've used the thermarest inflatables and the Big Agnes Insulated Aircore - both work wel, and were warmer and more comfortable than the closed cell foam pad I had in the army.
 
I dislike the inflatable pads. I've had the air valves break, I've had them leak, I've had them accidently inflate on my backpack while hiking (seriously, lol), and I don't like how long they take to set up or pack up compared to a regular foam pad.

Foam is superior. I like being able to just grab my pad, lay it down, and be good to go. No fiddling with little plastic valves (especially with cold or wet fingers, this sucks!), no blowing into it to help it inflate up more, or any of that sillyness. And when its time to go, I just roll it up and strap it onto my pack without worrying about any kind of deflating. Easy. :p
 
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